Consonant Contrast
How to Pronounce save vs safe
Key Pronunciation Contrast
‘Safe’ ends in voiceless /f/ (⁄seɪf⁄); ‘save’ ends in voiced /v/ (⁄seɪv⁄).
Contrast: Voiceless /f/ vs voiced /v/
“She was saved from drowning by a passer-by.”
“You’ll be safe from the storm here in the cabin.”
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Frequently Asked Questions: save vs safe
What is the difference in pronunciation between "save" and "safe"?
‘Safe’ ends in voiceless /f/ (⁄seɪf⁄); ‘save’ ends in voiced /v/ (⁄seɪv⁄).
Where does the syllable stress fall in "save" vs "safe"?
"save" has 1 syllable(s) (save) with stress on "SAVE". "safe" has 1 syllable(s) (safe) with stress on "SAFE".
Why do English learners often confuse "save" and "safe"?
Learners frequently confuse them due to the close sound contrast: Voiceless /f/ vs voiced /v/. In rapid spoken English, context and vowel duration are the primary differentiators.
What are example sentences for "save" and "safe"?
Example for "save": "She was saved from drowning by a passer-by." Example for "safe": "You’ll be safe from the storm here in the cabin."